Charles Wright Academy Puerto Rico 2026
January 11, 2026
What a travel day it has been. The 8th‑grade community and CWA faculty spent nearly 14 hours traveling to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the journey was full of movement, teamwork, and anticipation.
We started the day at SeaTac Airport, where students had the chance to eat with friends and practice navigating a large, busy space. After moving through security, we formed small groups and explored parts of the airport in search of a place to eat. With so many food options available, everyone was able to find something they enjoyed.
Once we boarded our first flight from SeaTac to Newark, we settled in for the long journey. The flight was smooth, though sleeping proved difficult for most. By the time we landed, morning had arrived in Newark, and everyone was ready for the next leg of the trip. Our second flight went just as smoothly, if not better, and we touched down in bright, warm San Juan at 2:30 p.m. At the San Juan airport, we met our Global Works team and then headed to The Big Yellow House, our home base for the week. Spirits were high on the bus, and after several rounds of enthusiastic (and sometimes incomprehensible) singing, we pulled into the driveway. Students helped unload luggage, set up their rooms, and quickly settled into the space. With the essentials organized, we headed outside to enjoy some free time. Volleyball and basketball quickly became favorites.
Later in the afternoon, students and faculty gathered to talk about the risks they are willing to take during our four‑day adventure around the island. We expanded on this during our comfort circle, where students spoke honestly about the experiences ahead, some feeling eager and confident, others a bit more hesitant but still open to trying new things. Together, we created a student agreement outlining expectations for how we will treat one another and care for our shared space at The Big Yellow House. Throughout this trip, we aim to embody empathy, kindness, hard work, and curiosity as a group.
We ended the evening with night basketball and time under the stars. The Big Yellow House offers countless activities- basketball, volleyball, bracelet‑making, frisbee, and more, ensuring every student has something to enjoy throughout the week. We wrapped up the night with a delicious dinner and plenty of excitement for the meals and adventures still to come.
By Mr. Crumb
January 12, 2026
Today our group ventured into Old San Juan, where we explored a variety of cultural and historical sites. We began the morning with a guided tour of the district’s iconic architecture and landmarks. Iron cobblestone streets and an abundance of friendly street cats greeted our eager group as we moved from place to place. Mr. Crumb’s history lessons finally had their moment to shine as students made meaningful connections and broadened their cultural perspectives.
Our journey took us back to 1539 as we explored Spain’s largest fort in the Caribbean: Castillo San Felipe del Morro. In its prime, El Morro successfully defended Puerto Rico against major world powers, and today it stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site welcoming thousands of visitors through its iron‑clad gates. Walking through the centuries‑old structure and looking out over the brilliant blue sea offered a powerful glimpse into Puerto Rico’s past under Spanish rule. As the day went on, the heat intensified—and so did our hunger.
Lunch provided a welcome break from the midday sun. With full stomachs and renewed energy, we returned to the streets of Old San Juan. Students split into small groups and explored Fortaleza Street, browsing todas las tiendas and picking up souvenirs for their families (or, realistically, whatever they felt inspired to spend their parents’ money on). And of course, no trip to Puerto Rico would be complete without time at the beach. We headed back to the Big Yellow House to change, then walked to the shoreline for an afternoon of swimming, football tossing, and pure fun.
After a full day of activities, we returned home to a delicious dinner prepared by our caterer, Ricky. Each day, a rotating cleaning crew—selected by advisory—takes responsibility for washing dishes, sweeping floors, emptying trash, and refilling water. It’s a small introduction to service work compared to the house‑building projects ahead, but an important one.Once chores were complete, students enjoyed the beautiful property surrounding the Big Yellow House. Volleyball, basketball, and relaxed community time filled the evening. As we write this, we’re wrapping up the night with a quick game led by our trip leaders and reflecting on the day’s adventures before settling into our bunks.
By Maya and Levi
January 13, 2026
Yesterday, we experienced a true melting pot of cultures. From the Taíno people to the height of the Spanish Empire, we had the chance to take what we’ve learned in class and see it come to life right in front of us. Our time in Old San Juan helped us understand not only how the city was founded, but also how it evolved into the vibrant cultural gem it is today. That deeper understanding of Puerto Rico’s history and identity became the foundation for the work our students stepped into next. After immersing themselves in the stories, people, and traditions that shape this island, they were ready to engage with the community in a more hands-on way. With that perspective in mind, our group partnered with the Global Works team to support a local family—rolling up our sleeves, working together, and helping build a new roof for their home. The shift from learning about Puerto Rico to actively contributing to it was powerful, and our students rose to the moment with empathy, determination, and heart.
We arrived at the construction site energetic and eager to participate. Angel, our foreman, gave us a thorough run‑through of what he hoped to accomplish. After gearing up, we were assigned to one of five stations: shoveling rocks, shoveling sand while helping Angel’s son Eggie make batches of cement, shoveling cement into buckets, pouring the cement mixture into the roof mold, or passing full buckets up and empty buckets down. We rotated tasks about every 40 minutes to conserve energy and to let everyone experience the different types of work that go into creating a concrete structure. Everyone gave their best effort, and as a team we did a spectacular job. We completed the roof just in time and stayed afterward to help clean the site. The foremen were essential to the process. They were our anchors, mixing the concrete we poured and modeling the work ethic and teamwork needed for the project. Even with a language barrier, they brought everyone together and helped create an incredibly positive experience. At first, many students were timid, but by the end of the day everyone was smiling, confident, and fully engaged.
After dinner, we had a lively salsa class that pushed us out of our comfort zones and helped us grow. Salsa is an important cultural dance in Puerto Rico, and learning it gave us a deeper appreciation for the island’s traditions. Our instructor, Yara, guided us with patience and enthusiasm, breaking the dance into four simple steps and teaching us a spin that helped us transition smoothly to each new partner. She helped us understand not only how to do the movements, but why salsa holds such cultural significance. Dancing with every classmate required confidence, openness, and a willingness to try something new. Many students began the class unsure, but by the end the room was full of energy, laughter, and genuine excitement. The experience challenged us, brought us closer together, and showed how much growth can happen when we step outside our comfort zones.
By Kylie T and Ben C
January 14, 2026
Angel and his wife Maria have been wonderful hosts, welcoming us with incredible warmth and introducing us to a beautiful and close‑knit community. They have been true leaders throughout our time here, and it was a privilege to support them in their home‑repair journey. Helping build a new wall for their house was a meaningful experience—one that will stay with all of us. Knowing that our hard work directly supported a family made every shovel of sand, every bucket of concrete, and every moment of teamwork feel purposeful. The process didn’t just strengthen a home; it strengthened us as individuals and as a community, reminding us how service can help us grow stronger every day.
After a full day of work, many of us headed to the beach to cool off in the ocean, while others stayed back at the house to rest and recharge. Later in the evening, we gathered for a big dinner with Maria’s family. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was lively as we practiced our Spanish and deepened our connections with the new friends we’ve made. We played football, volleyball, and other games with local kids, and even got to celebrate a birthday together, which made the night feel even more special.
Tomorrow we’ll travel about 90 minutes east of San Juan to experience the natural beauty of the Caribbean. We’ll be snorkeling around local coral reefs and exploring another side of Puerto. Rico’s incredible environment.
By Emma and Jaslynn
January 15, 2026
After two days of hard work supporting the Puerto Rican community, we had the chance to
embrace Puerto Rico’s natural beauty by snorkeling off the coast of San Juan and exploring the
local coral reefs. It was an entirely new perspective and one we could never experience from
the surface. Seeing the underwater world up close expanded our understanding of the island’s
ecosystem and reminded us how delicate and easily damaged these environments can be. We
spotted a variety of fish, coral formations, and stretches of seagrass swaying with the current.
Rather than letting us free‑roam, the guides led us on a structured tour, which gave us a strong
sense of safety and community as we moved through the water together. Snorkeling as a group
came with plenty of funny moments too, especially when we tried to communicate through
snorkels and masks. A few people swallowed more salt water than they would’ve liked, but the
laughter and shared experience made it all worthwhile.
After exploring the colorful reefs, we took a short 10–15 minute boat ride to a nearby private
island. Once we dropped anchor, we enjoyed 90 minutes of free time—relaxing, swimming,
sipping fun drinks, and eating delicious sandwiches prepared by the crew. The time passed
quickly, and before we knew it, we were heading back to mainland Puerto Rico for dinner.
For our final night on this beautiful island, we enjoyed a fabulous meal along the shores of Fajardo. It was the perfect ending to a day filled with adventure, connection, and appreciation for
the natural beauty of the Caribbean.
By Teddy and Jared
